Training Overview

The Richmond City Medical Reserve Corps currently requires its volunteers to participate in an Orientation, and to take ICS-100 and IS-700 NIMS online. Descriptions of additional training opportunities are provided below.

REQUIRED TRAININGS*

ORIENTATION: Orientations are for interested citizens who are looking to learn more about the Medical Reserve Corps. They typically last 1 hour and are held throughout the city of Richmond. Topics covered include: Overview of the Medical Reserve Corps Program (National, State and Local), Volunteer Roles and responsibilities, Additional Training Opportunities, How to Register/Application and Questions and Answers.

IS-700 NIMS: NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM All personnel with a direct role in emergency preparedness, incident management or response must complete NIMS IS-700.IS-700 NIMS: An Introduction is a Web-based awareness level course that explains NIMS components, concepts and principles. Although it is designed to be taken online interactively, course can be offered in a group or classroom setting. To take the course online go to http://training.fema.gov

RECOMMEND TRAININGS

*MRC ORIENTATION IS A PRE-REQUISITE TO ANY RECOMMENDED TRAININGS OR PARTICIPATION DRILLS/EXERCISES.

CPR/FIRST AID/AED: From an authorized provider.

PERSONAL AND FAMILY PREPAREDNESS: This training provides you with the knowledge and skills to start preparing yourself and your family for the first 48-72 hours of a disaster. Information to be covered includes: Disasters That Can Affect You, Building a Kit, Creating a Family Disaster Plan, and Sheltering in Place.

SHELTER OPERATIONS/DISASTER HEALTH SERVICES OVERVIEW: The Greater Richmond American Red Cross manages emergency shelters in the City of Richmond. If asked to participate, MRC volunteers would benefit from knowing Red Cross policy and procedure as well as roles and responsibilities for ARC Disaster Health Workers.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID: Psychological First Aid is an evidence-based modular approach to assisting children, adolescents, adults and families in the immediate aftermath of disaster or terrorism. Course includes: basic information gathering techniques to help make rapid assessment of what is needed and what to do, guidelines for delivery and concrete examples, developmentally and culturally appropriate interventions for survivors of various ages and backgrounds, and includes important elements of risk communication, behaviors to avoid and education via the use of handouts and materials.

CERT: COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING
The “Richmond Ready” CERT program trains individuals and groups of citizens to be better prepared to respond to emergency situations and disasters by providing support to first responders, assisting the injured and organizing spontaneous volunteers in the aftermath of a disaster. CERT participants are required to take 20 hours of training usually held over 2 days. Participants receive a certificate and are asked to participate in a graduation ceremony held each June. For more information, call Alvina Bey Bennett, CERT Training Coordinator (804) 762-4916.

* The Richmond City MRC retains the right to change the required courses for MRC volunteers.